EU Backs ICC Amidst U.S. Sanctions on Judges, Slovenia Calls for Action

On Friday, the European Union threw its support behind the International Criminal Court (ICC), following sanctions imposed by Washington on four of its judges. Slovenia announced plans to push Brussels to prevent the enforcement of these sanctions within Europe.

EU member Slovenia argued that the court's independence is crucial for maintaining international justice. The U.S. sanctions are a response to the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and an investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The penalties make financial transactions difficult for the sanctioned judges.

Slovenia called for the activation of the EU's blocking statute to protect European interests, previously employed against U.S. trade restrictions. This comes as the ICC faces pressure from U.S. actions against its chief prosecutor amid a UN investigation.

(With inputs from agencies.)